Lanie Mae's 2nd birthday

This past Friday was Lanie Mae's 2nd birthday. It sounds so cliche', but, I really cannot believe it has been 2 years since she was born. Friday was a pretty typical day. Although, I was so busy getting things ready for her party on Saturday. You see, I decided that it would be too expensive to buy a $50 cake and I thought I would just make one. Well, $40 and countless hours later, the cake was made (thanks to help from my mother-in-law). Lesson #1...JUST BUY THE CAKE! Although, it did turn out very cute. The party was great! Family and a few family friends came over to celebrate. Lanie Mae was SO EXCITED. She squealed and laughed all day long. I, on the other hand, cried before the party. I was so crazy busy and exhausted and when I was heading upstairs to take a shower at 9:40 for the 10:00 party, I just had to have a little break-down. But, at 9:59 when I was heading back downstairs w/ clothes on, hair dry (sort-of) and make-up on, all was good. We had a great time!

After the party, my family hung around a little bit since they came from out of town. My sister and brother-in-law spent the night. So, we thought it would be a great idea to go out to eat at STIXX and have the staff sing to Lanie Mae. BIG MISTAKE. Lesson #2...never take a 2 year old to a japanese restaraunt. The first time Lanie Mae saw the flame (at the table next to us-mind you), she FREAKED OUT. Neil and I had to take turns taking her outside until the guy got done cooking. Comical now, last night, not so much! While I was standing outside, a lady saw me holding Lanie Mae (who was saying, "I want to go home"). She looked at me and said, "How old is she, about 2?" I told her yes. She giggled and said, "I had to take my 2 year old out of here about 4 years ago." Lesson learned and reinforced!

The weekend, overall, was great. The only thing is, now, Lanie Mae and I both miss my family. It could be worse, they are only 1hr 45min away. I hope everyone has a great week!

the cake...

Lanie Mae blowing out candles...(a little 2 year old spit never hurt anyone, right?)

We fingerpainted with all the kids (ladybugs and turtles) and one ROLL TIDE

Turning over a new leaf

This posting is a little heavy, so here is one of my favorite oldy but goody pictures of Lanie Mae

Sunday, our pastor (Pastor Paul Lawler) preached an awesome sermon. Maybe it was so awesome, because it was something that I really needed to hear. He talked alot about marriage and the normalcy of family. He quoted the divorce rate at 50 % which most of you probaby already know. However, the next thing he quoted was the divorce rate of couples who daily spend time together in prayer...only 3 %. That was an amazing thing to hear. I don't know why I as so shocked. My precious grandparents who were married 61 years before my Paw Paw died, prayed every single night together. When we would spend the night with them, my Maw Maw and Paw Paw would come into the room where we slept and pray with us. Just after that, they would go into their lamp light filled room and I could see them both on their knees, holding hands, saying their prayers. I could hear them one by one pray for everyone in our family. I particularly remember them saying "please watch over little Karla and little Kelli".

As we left church Sunday morning, I said to Neil, "you know, it's true...we need to pray together." See, up until that moment, we had only prayed together at meal times (and that has only been in the last 2 years). We, on very rare occasion, have prayed together about a special circumstance. NEVER, have we just prayed together b/c that's what couples do. Starting Sunday night, Neil and I started praying together at bedtime. This is NOT natural for us. But, I know that eventually it will be. I would love for little Lanie Mae to have memories of her parents holding hands and praying together. I would love to be in the 97 % not the 50 %. I would love to make this natural so that when we need prayer the most, we are prepared to do it together.

I don't know why I felt so compelled to share this, but, ever since Sunday, I have just felt different. I feel gentler and more peaceful. I am sure that I will have terrible bad attitude days where I am a jerk to Neil. But, if I can keep those to a minimum, we have made progress.

if you want to check out Paul's sermon...www.christchurchunitedmethodist.org

Preparation for Birthday #2

As I prepare for Lanie Mae's birthday party, I hear the words "it's just another day" in my head. I have heard these words from so many people and have said them myself as I have gotten older. But, I would like to challenge that statement. In the past couple of months we have had a friend's 7 year old daughter die suddenly and unexpectedly, a friend's father pass away at age 67 (just a few years older than my own Daddy) and, a dear family friend of my husband's passed away just last night.

With my heart so heavy and tender with these deaths, I have to say that a birthday is not just another day. A birthday is a gift from God and we are supposed to celebrate it. From here on out, I am going to make the best of the birthdays in my life. Both mine, as well as family members. Starting with Lanie Mae's 2nd birthday this Friday. My heart is so full of love for this precious girl and I thank God that he has blessed me with her. Two years ago this week, mine and Neil's life changed forever. It is almost like I had blurry vision regarding the love that God put's into your heart when you have a child. But, the minute she was born, my eyesight was 20/20. My understanding of the love that my own Mom and Dad have for me was suddenly so much clearer. The absolute apathy in regards to how stupid I looked in public when I made silly googly eyes at her just to make her laugh. (although, i must say, there are some days where i am sure glad there are blinds in my house--i am sure i look quite silly shaking my hips like wags the dog or dancing along with Barney) So, if anyone reads this, CELEBRATE your birthday and those of your friends and family. Thank you Lord for my little Lanie Mae and the wonderful past 2 years you have given us---even though, they have flown by! Until next time, I will be counting my blessings and Thanking God for them. Here are a few special birthday celebrations. (Lanie Mae's 1st birthday is in an earlier posting, so I put her REAL first birthday picture on here.

Lanie Mae Morton 8/22/06 8# 1 oz 21 "

oh my, how time flies

Lanie Mae with Pop, Riley with Terry at Ben's 40th B-day celebration

(please keep these guys in your prayers as they lost a good friend last night)

Anna Charles with Pappy at her 3rd Birthday

Joel and Milla at her 2nd Birthday